Parents' Weekend

This past weekend at ISU was "Parents' Weekend"! Parents gathered from near and far to spend a few short days with their college students and relive the college lifestyle. Lucky for me, Mama and Den arrived late on Wednesday evening, so I had a nice,   L   O  N  G   weekend with them - though, it didn't feel nearly long enough when it came to a close yesterday afternoon.
On Wednesday night, they arrived in their rental Hyundai Sonata around 11 pm! We were all exhausted, so Mama curled up on my couch and Landon crashed on Max's futon.
I don't have any classes on Thursday, so we had the whole day to play! The three of us started our day around 8 am and met with niece/cousin, Allie, for breakfast (who we recently found out is expecting a baby girl in March! Eek!) at the Cafe', which was positively scrumptious! If you live in the area and have never been to the Cafe', I highly recommend!
Then, we continued on to Walmart to get some goodies to stock up my dorm with! Let's just say I am probably set through Thanksgiving!

(My mom being adorable, helping me shop!)

After we finished grocery shopping, we hopped in the Sonata and headed north for Clarion! This time of year is beautiful for driving in Iowa. Each of the small towns we passed through was connected by golden fields being harvested by farmers - many of whom were working hurriedly at the word of nasty weather this week. Den and I shared our new favorite songs over the Bluetooth-enabled stereo in the rental, as is tradition. Before we knew it, we were pulling into the small town we lived in together only five short months ago. It is always bitter-sweet to return to Clarion. I find myself missing it, more than I thought I would. Yet, being back reminds me of all the little things I couldn't stand about small-town life.
That night, Landon hung out with his friend, Brady, while Mom and I met friends of hers for supper at the new restaurant in town, Fuel - a trendy, coal-fired pizza restaurant. Pretty upscale for small-town Clarion, Iowa!
Later in the evening, Den and I met with our best friend, Michael and talked music and life, as always.
It was a wonderful, relaxing evening in Clarion, but the next day, I had classes that I had to be back in Ames for, so I hit the hay around midnight and got some sleep.
The next morning, the Three Musketeers went to Grounded for a nutritious and delicious breakfast and then headed back to Ames.
Landon got to go to my chemistry lecture with me, which was a neat experience for him. Then, he went to hang out with Max while I went to my last class.
Friday evening, we spent in my dorm, watching the Tudors on Netflix, sipping warm, fall beverages.
On Saturday morning, we woke up slowly and then headed over to Jack Trice for the football game with Max. Thanks to my boyfriend's rockin' family (who have season tickets), we had fantastic seats to watch the team....well....get defeated, once again. 'Twas a good time, nonetheless!

Following the game, the four of us drowned our sorrows in Texas Roadhouse rolls....mmm...

That evening, we once again, spent in my dorm, watching Landon play Super Mario 64 on the Wii. Can scarcely thing of anything more relaxing!

On Sunday, we met with cousin, Knute, for breakfast at Dunkin Donuts, then headed over to the mall, as Mom had promised me a new outfit or two. I came out with a pleather skirt, a red sweater, a striped dress, and two new scarves. SCORE! :)

All three of us were a wee bit down in the dumps for most of Sunday. It's always hard for us to part. For almost as long as my memory stretches, we have been the Three Musketeers. We lean on each other for support, encouragement, and guidance and we crack each other up, constantly. I think you would be hard-pressed to find a happier, closer family than Landon, Mama, and I.

When I saw them off on Sunday afternoon, there were tears. We were reassured by the fact that we will see each other again in four short weeks, for Thanksgiving, but that did not make it any less icky. We hugged each other tightly and said our goodbyes and I watched them disappear somewhere on the horizon, marveling at how blessed I am to have such a tight-knit family unit.